Volume VIII, Issue 12 (December 1, 2023)

V

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” ― H.W. Mabie

ongview oice

THE Vol. VIII December 2023

Sharing the good news about Longview Independent School District

MERRY CHRISTMAS

’Tis the season for spending time with family

T

he holiday season is upon us, and we here in Lobo Nation want to wish happy holidays to all of our Lobos!

From feasting with family to watching an annual parade, there is a lot to do in East Texas during this time of year. Here are just a few upcoming East Texas events for you and your family.

Spirit||Continued to page 7 Spirit

Give love on Christmas day and help make a differ ence for someone.

See opinion on Page 2

Longview High School held its inaugural Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.

See Heritage on Page 10

Lobos end the season with 27-24 score against Lancaster.

See SPORTS on Page 13

Check out the latest social media posts that you may have missed.

See Social on Page 18

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — December 2023

OPINION

Give love on Christmas day

By Matthew Prosser It’s that time of year again – time for festive decorations bathed in the warm glow of twinkle lights, crowded stores filled with cheerful yet stressed shoppers, and the familiar tunes of classic Christmas music piping through speakers everywhere.

One of my favorite holiday songs has always been “Give Love on Christmas Day” by the Jackson Five. That sweet, soulful melody never fails to remind me of a special memory from over a decade ago – the time I got to be the “real” Santa Claus, if only for one incredibly deserving family.

It was a December evening, in the year of Our Lord 2008.

At the time I worked for a non-profit organization in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area, serving economically-disadvantaged families and communities. One of our outreach programs was to bring gifts to

local families for Christswinging my bag around. mas.

From behind the We’d had several young woman, two little inches of snow in the wide-eyed faces apweek leading up to the peared. holiday, and I was beI asked if I could come hind schedule. I arrived in, and the young womat the last family on my an opened the door. The list at around 6 p.m. on a sight of her home broke dark, bitter-cold Christmy heart. No tree or PROSSER mas Eve. The apartment decorations. No festive was not decorated on the ornaments or sparkling outside and didn’t appear to have lights. No stacks of colorfula tree inside. I knocked with a ly-wrapped gifts awaiting little heavy rap of my knuckles, as I hands. There was scarcely a sign wasn’t sure if anyone was home. of Christmas at all.

Opening the door was a young The woman explained to me woman who looked tired and that her mother and granddowncast, then suddenly conmother had died the previous fused by the sight of me: a large month in a car wreck. She didn’t man with wild hair and beard, have any extended family and, wearing a Santa hat and carwhile she had just barely enough rying a sack over my shoulder, to pay her bills, she was unable humming Christmas carols. I to do anything for Christmas. probably looked like some wild“Who sent you?” she asked, eyed maniac. perhaps thinking that I was at “Who are you?” she asked. the wrong home.

“Merry Christmas!” I boomed, I told her that Jesus and San-

ta both sent me, and unloaded the bag of gifts donated by various local businesses. The children tore through the presents in a blizzard of wrapping paper and gleeful giggles. On their small dining table, I plopped down a 16-pound Butterball, cans of sides, a box of stuffing, and instant potatoes. I wished I could’ve given more, but I gave everything I had.

Then I asked the mother if there was anything else she needed for Christmas.

“A hug would be nice,” she said with tear-stained eyes. So I leaned over and embraced her tight.

Now, more than ten Christmases later, I don’t even remember what I received that year.

But I’ll never forget what I was blessed to give.

Merry Ch Christmas, Lo Lobos!

— An award-winning journalist and photographer, Matthew Prosser is Communications Director for Longview Independent School District.

Time marches on, but remember to be kind

By Dustin Taylor “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”

— Maya Angelou We are now mere weeks from entering the next year, and we live in a world where things have gotten better in many ways, but also worse in other ways. Despite how the world may have changed, there are still so many good things we can do that can have a big impact in the lives of others.

Helping a non-profit by simply sacrificing some of your time or donating an extra of couple bucks to a local charity could impact lives of those around us.

We all have bad days, but the simple act of kindness by you could be all it takes to help lift someone out of their bad day.

You do not have to give every cent or every second of your time in order to make a difference. Any amount you can give, small or large, helps. If you are in the spirit of giving but are not sure what you can do, here are

just a few ideas.

canned food, new underwear, board games, and DONATIONS more.

Too busy running For the full list, go to around, getting things Hiway80rm.org..

Hiway80rm.org ready for all the family Last but not least is that will be visiting you One Love Longview. for Christmas? Then Their goal is to promote you can still make a “unity and openess difference with money, old clothes, toys, canned TAYLOR across Longview” which they do by helping the food, and more. Donacommunity. They have a voltions matter just as much as unteer orientation on the third volunteering.

Wednesday of every month.

The East Texas Food Bank To find out more, go to does an amazing job in helping to OneLoveLongview.com.

OneLoveLongview.com . provide nutritious meals to both adults and children who have VOLUNTEERING trouble securing these types of A great way to help locally is meals. While its true that there to go to LongviewTexas.gov are starving people in other and see what the city is in need countries, our own neighbors just of volunteers for. The city has down the street are also struga wide variety of things that gling with food security. they will happily accept volunTo find out more, go to teers for. From assisting with EastTexasFoodBank.org cleanups to helping out at the Another place that is always Longview Public Library, they looking for donations is Hiway can always make use of idle 80 Rescue Mission. Their webhands. site has a list of items that they For anyone who would like to are currently in need of such as help our furry best friends, anicleaning supplies, bottled water, mal shelters are often in need of

assistance, and certainly in need of more newspapers. While you may want to adopt every single adorable animal at a shelter, realistically, you can’t. But helping them to at least have some company or some fresh papers under them is still a huge help for them.

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

A growing trend over recent years due to social media, random acts of kindess are another way to help others. It’s the action that matters, not the size. Even if the person you are kind to is not in need of anything, your act might help them to do the same to someone else, and in the end, it could help make the world a bit better of a place.

The season of giving is a great place to start, but why stop there? There is no reason we cannot let the festive season of giving continue into the New Year.

— An award-winning journalist and 2007 graduate of LHS, Dustin Taylor is the Managing Editor for The Longview Voice.

Brought to you by the LISD Community Relations Department!

Sharing the good news about Longview Independent School District

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — December 2023

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C I N ASEYOU MIS SED I T lobo cheer 50/50 raffle

Lobo Cheer’s largest fundraiser of the year is happening NOW! Raffle tickets are $1 or $10 for 12 tickets. Tickets can be purchased from a cheerleader, mascot, manager, or coach. The winner will be announced on December 19 on the Longview High School Cheerleader Facebook and Instagram page.

Did we miss your district news?

Did we miss district campus or organization news? Send us the pertinent information to ask@LISD.org and we’ll include it in our next issue!

ffa Christmas supply drive We are excited to announce our Longview FFA Community Service project for this year’s Christmas supply drive! We will be collecting children’s diapers of all sizes and women’s feminine items to donate to our local domestic violence shelter here in Longview.

These essential items are often overlooked but are crucial for the well-being and comfort of those seeking refuge from abusive situations. By donating diapers and feminine products, we can make a significant impact on the lives of these brave individuals and their families.

Here’s how you can help: 1. Purchase children’s diapers of any size or women’s feminine items such as sanitary pads, tampons, or personal hygiene products.

Every contribution, big or small, will make a difference!

2. Drop off your donations at the Longview ISD Meat Lab or the drop boxes set up in each AG teacher’s classroom between November 28 — December 18 from 8:30 a.m. — 4:15 p.m.

3. Spread the word! Share this info with your friends, family, and colleagues. Let’s rally our community together to make this Christmas

rockin l car emblems for sale

Looking for a gift or stocking stuffer every Lobo fan will love? The Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. has the answer: the popular chrome Rocking L car emblems you see on vehicles all over town. Order yours now at lisdfoundation. org.. Click on Rocking L Emblems for Sale on org the right hand side of the homepage. Emblems are $20 each can be delivered to any LISD campus or shipped to you. Emblems are also on sale at the LISD athletic office every day!

Supply Drive a resounding success!

Remember, even the smallest act of kindness can brighten someone’s day and bring hope to those who need it most. Let’s show our support and make this holiday season a little brighter for those in our community who are facing challenging circumstances. Thank you in advance for your generosity and compassion. Together, we can make a difference!

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — December 2023

Homesick Lobo makes memories in Kenya

By Parker Kelsey LHS Senior 8,473 miles away from Texas, halfway around the globe, a place of many adventures and sights to see, but where is “home” KELSEY now? What is “home” now? While home is a place where a person lives, in contrast, home can also be a place of resignation with someone. It might be a feeling of sincerity, a physical place, or even both!

Visiting Kenya, Africa on a mission trip blessed me with the greatest moments of my life. The comradery of those who accompanied me on the trip and the beautiful Kenyan people made the overseas mission lively. The feeling that was I in the right place burned inside me the minute I stepped onto the African grounds. The gigantic mountains full of greenery and the captivating sunset made our arrival seemingly predestined.

The vibrant smiles of the city of Kisumu, Kenya gave us all a taste of the goodness of Africa. It was the most humbling experience to see the joy of the Kenyans despite what little they had. Did they really have little?

Living in America has skewed the views of what is necessary to simply survive in this world.

Kenyans fight every day in hopes of getting to experience the next one. However, in everything they do, their happiness never wavers. Their happiness is what created such an opportunistic environment for the mission group to thrive in. Because of the everlasting joy of the Kenyan people, the mission team

was able pursue key aspects like hut-to-hut evangelism, Vacation Bible Study for children, and revival crusades.

Hut-to-hut evangelism took boldness and strength. Although it was evident in many parts of Kisumu that the Kenyans weren’t harmful people, there was a lingering fear that overcame the group. The way the group went about sharing the Gospel door-to-door was by splitting in twos. My partner, Amelia Bailey, and I were off to our first house with our translator questioning our capability of sharing the Gospel. However, once we saw the broken, heart-aching look on the face of one of our first listeners, we were reminded of why we came here in the first place and vivaciously presented the Gospel to our first group of people. Our actions then resulted in these people receiving the Gospel and putting their full-fledged life in Christ Jesus. For the duration of the trip, we did hut-to-hut evangelism for twelve hours over three days.

Rival Crusades composed of only a minimal amount of the trip but were arguably the most important part. The crusades, as an addition to the hut-to-hut evangelism and Vacation Bible Study, were substantial for a whole community getting to hear the Gospel as a unit. The mission group chose two villages in Kisumu where we all gathered with the Kenyan people and worshipped God through music and the telling of His word. For both times that the Crusades took place, a different Gospel presenter was selected.

Then, through those members selected would the African audience hear the Gospel and respond by submission to Jesus.

Submission, occurring in the hut-to-hut evangelism and Revival Crusades, was primarily present in the Vacation Bible School (VBS) for the youth. Our activities there consisted of arts and crafts, playing soccer, and a Bible lesson. Through the Bible lesson, many children at their young age gave their lives to Christ because they sought

someone who could heal their wounds and sustain them in cruel times. Their free-spirited nature helped them to come to understand a simple need for Christ in their lives. Unfortunately for the mission group, we didn’t get to conduct one of the planned Vacation Bible Schools, but even still did God provide a way through to make most of the trip.

On Thursday, July 20th, our mission trip group woke up at 4:00 AM Kenyan time. Our intense early morning resulted from a blockade and protest occurring directly outside our hotel. Although we, the missionaries, weren’t the reason for the protesting, we needed to exit so that we weren’t trapped in the hotel for longer than needed. The previous day we had not able to leave for the same reason. What made the difference was our African leaders who negotiated peaceful terms for our passing from the area.

When we received the green light to leave at 5:00 AM., our Parker||Continued to page 17 Parker

Playing For Keeps overflowing with twins Playing For Keeps, the state-recognized early childhood center is currently helping to take care of a total of 8 sets of twins. There is even a pair of twins that work there!

The Four-Star program aims to provide the highest level of care and education for all 155 children who are enrolled this year at the 81-yearold campus. PFK has Early Head Start which is for ages 6 weeks up to 3, and Childcare is for 6 weeks up to kindergarten. This is a place that

creates a feeling of acceptance and a sense of belonging to provide an environment that enables every child to feel safe and secure.

The twins consist of Joel and Julie, Josiah and Joseph, Charleston and Kendrick, Ana and Andrea, Kyson and Tyson, Aliana and Aliyah, Truth and Wisdom Adams (not pictured), and Aubrey and Audrey. Karla and Karina Bravo are twins who work as an office clerk and instructional resource specialist respectively at PFK.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — December 2023

CHARTERS

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Children are meant to be loud, loud, to socialize

By Dr. Brian Ziemer ETAA CEO ONE of my favorite children’s poems is found in Jack Prelutsky’s 1990 book, Something Big Has Been Here: “I’m TwadZIEMER dletalk Tuck and I talk and I talk; and I talk when I run and I talk when I walk; and I talk when I hop and I talk when I creep; and I talk when I wake and I talk when I sleep; and I talk when it’s wet and I talk when it’s dry; and I talk when I laugh and I talk when

I cry; and I talk when I jump and I talk when I land . . . for I’m Twaddletalk Tuck and I talk and I talk!”

Mr. Prelutsky’s poem conveys an essential aspect of child development: children are natural communicators,

and encouraging their ability to communicate is critical to their growth and well-being.

Most parents and teachers have at times looked at their children or their students and thought (or said), “Would you PLEASE be quiet?!” But in

reality, children need to talk, and the adults caring for them should encourage them to keep talking day by day.Why should we encourage talking among children? In a recent article entitled The Importance of Socializing for Kids, researchers at the Child’s Play Early Learning Center found that, “Understanding and developing a variety of communication skills will help your child as they go through different stages of their life . . . Socializing allows kids to communicate with others outside of their immediate family, and will help them understand risk-taking, social cues, and how to listen and understand others.”

ETAA||Continued to page 19 ETAA

TCIS holds monthly meeting, meeting, learns from students

By John Wink TCIS Chief of Schools The Texas Council of International Studies (TCIS) is one of the partners who supervises and operates the charter campuses of ClarWINK ence Bailey, Elementary School, Hudson PEP Elementary School, Ned E Williams STEAM Academy, Judson STEAM Academy, Foster Middle School, and Longview High School.

The charter has operated these campuses for the past

four years in addition to campuses in San Antonio ISD and Edgewood ISD. As part of the contract agreement between TCIS and Longview ISD, TCIS established an advisory council that meets on a regular basis with local parents from

each campus to learn about the partnership and give feedback on ways that it can be improved.

On Monday, Dec. 4, the TCIS advisory council held its regular meeting at Judson STEAM Academy to learn

how Judson is operating and performing to meet the goals under the contract. TCIS Chief of Schools, John Wink, opened the meeting and discussed how TCIS is meeting its students’ social and emotional needs on all campuses.

To further expand upon the work that TCIS is doing for his students, Mr. Wink asked Judson STEAM Academy principal, Melanie Pondant, and her team to share their work from this year.

Mrs. Pondant has led the campus in implementing the Ron Clark Academy house system. In its first year of implementation, the campus saw disciplinary referrals drop by TCIS||Continued to page 8 TCIS

Lobo FFA made it to State Leadership finals Longview FFA traveled to Marshall on Wednesday, Nov. 15, to compete in the Area Leadership Development Events. Our area consists of over 95 schools that range from 1A to 6A. Out of our students competing in eight different events, two of them made it to State! While Lane Foreman and Maggie Mayes ended up not making it into the finals, they did made it into the top 24 in their contests. We are so proud of them and every other Lobo that competed!

Also referred to as LDEs, these contests aim to build students’ confidence, speaking ability, and leadership skills through agriculture education. They start by competing on the District Level and only the top 3 teams advance to the Area Level (Longview had 8 teams advance). On the Area Level, students compete against schools from all across Northeast Texas and have to come out in the top 2 in order to advance to the state level.

State||Continued to page 17 State

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — December 2023

DEAR SANTA

Find more letters to Santa on the district Facebook page!

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — December 2023

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SPIRIT ||Continued Continued from page 1

HOLIDAY EVENTS Dec. 11th — 30th

Wonderland of Lights Festival at Marshall Come Make Toys for Kids at Innovation Pipeline in Tyler Winter Reading Challenge at Tyler Public Library Holiday Lights in the Garden in Tyler: 5 p.m.

Lobo Band Christmas Concert at Mickey Melton Center: 6:30 p.m

Dec. 12th

Operation Christmas Cheer at at Good Shepherd in Longview: 9:30 a.m.

LISD Ochestras Winter Concert at Mickey Melton Center: 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 13th

Lobo Choir performance at Pine Tree Texas Bank & Trust: 2:30 p.m.

Tatum Light Up the Holidays Parade:: 5:30 p.m. rade

Dec. 14th

Judson Choir Christmas Concert at Mickey Melton Center: 7 p.m.

Community Christmas at New Beginnings: 7 p.m.

Dec. 15th

Hanukkah Ends Longview Santa’s Workshop at Alliance Auto Auction: 9:30 a.m.

Bailey Elementary Choir at Pine Tree Texas Bank & Trust: 9 a.m.

Forest Park Choir at Longview Texas Bank & Trust: 9:30 a.m.

Hudson PEP Choir at LISD ESC: 9 a.m.

J.L. Everhart Choir at LISD ESC: 10 a.m.

Clarence W. Bailey Choir at LISD ESC: 11 a.m.

Dec. 17th

Cookie & Ornament Decorating at Oakland Heights Baptist Church: 5 p.m.

Dec. 18th

Johnston-McQueen Choir at Longview Texas Bank & Trust: 10 a.m.

Johnston-McQueen Choir at LISD ESC: 9 a.m.

Playing For Keeps Choir at LISD ESC: 10 a.m.

ETMPA Choir at LISD ESC: 11 a.m.

Ned E. Williams Choir at LISD ESC: Noon Ware Elementary Choir at LISD ESC: 1 p.m.

Bramlette Elementary at LISD ESC: 2 p.m.

Longview Texas Bank and Trust: 11 a.m.

Christmas

Dec. 25th Dec. 26th

Kwanzaa starts

Dec. 30th

Librarian Book Talk: Hallmark Xmas Edition at Longview Library: 10:30 a.m.

Dec. 31st

New Year’s Eve

Dec. 19th

Santa at the Plaza Tower in Tyler: 5 p.m.

Dec. 20th

Christ-MUTTS on Kermit Movie Night at Longview Animal Adoption Center

Dec. 21st

Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at The Back Porch in Kilgore: 5 p.m.

It’s a Bluey Christmas at Marshall Public Library: 10:30 a.m.

Dec. 22nd

Christmas Movie Matinee at Marshall Public Library: 2:30 p.m.

Harpist Cherith Hendrich at

903-686-9108 gormanmccrackenvw.com gormanmccrackenmazda.com 800 South Hwy 31 East, East, Longview

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — December 2023

Trustees approve retention pay for PFK staff The Longview Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a one-time employee retention payment plan using Child Care Relief grant funds for staffers at the district’s Playing For Keeps Early Childhood Center during their regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 13th.

Full-time employees at the district’s Playing For Keeps Early Childhood Center with at least one year of service as of Sept. 1, 2023, will receive stipends ranging from $1,000 to $2,400 based on years of service. Part-time employees will receive half of those amounts.

New full-time Playing For Keeps employees for 2023-24 will get a one-time $500 payment. New part-timers will receive $250.

Long-term substitutes will also qualify for retention payments from $500 to $1,000 based on years served.

In total, the retention plan will distribute approximately $50,000 to eligible staff across the district, including custodians.

Dr. James Hockenberry, LISD Assistant Superintendent of District Services said the goal is to retain employees who provide an invaluable service at one of our district’s most challenging yet essential operations.

“We are thankful that the grant funds have HOCKENBERRY allowed us to implement this much-needed boost to our staff at Playing For Keeps,” he said.

CATTLE TRAILER FOR FFA

Trustees also unanimously approved the $64,834 purchase of a new livestock trailer for the district’s FFA program.

Mr. Gary Krueger, Director of Longview Educates and Prospers (LEAP), said the trailer will provide the needed capacity to safely transport students’ cattle and livestock to FFA competitions.

“The 2024 Big Tex 8x32 Cimmaron trailer has an insulated roof and 8-year warranty,” he said. “The retail price is $79,796 but the district will pay the school rate of $64,834 from Big Tex of

Mount Pleasant.”

Mr. Krueger said the FFA Show Team has outgrown the hauling capacity of the current trailer.

“The trailer will allow for the continued growth of the award-winning Lobo FFA program,” he said.

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Later, board members unanimously approved a resolution stating that its annual review of the district’s investment policy and strategies was conducted with no changes. The review found the existing policy and strategies remain compliant with state law and suitable to meet the district’s current investment goals and requirements.

The investment policy covers areas such as authorized investments, selection of brokers, standards of care, prohibited investments, and other procedures. Investment strategies outline tactics for specific district funds like operating, capital projects, debt service, and bond proceeds.

State law requires the annual review to ensure policies and strategies align with legal requirements and the district’s investment priorities.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

During the Superintendent’s Report, Dr. James Wilcox honored special populations staff and self-contained teachers in recognition of National Special Edu-

cation Day. Hudson PEP Elementary teacher Ms. Elizabeth Rodriguez, principal practicum student from Texas A&M Commerce, also presented to the Board.

The report included a bond review; an update on the Teacher ApprenWILCOX tice Program; the monthly District Services summary; a Charter Partner update; an Office of Innovation update; the Raptor safety data report; an overview of the secondary discipline matrix; System of Great Schools highlights; and a lease agreement between Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center and Longview ISD. In addition, Dr. Wilcox provided information on the updated DAEP/Dade Center placement procedures based on recent legislative changes and the latest campus data monitoring analysis.

FOR MORE INFO

Trustees usually meet in the boardroom of the LISD Education Support Center (1301 E. Young Street), but often set special-called meetings at various locations around the district. The next regular meeting is tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 11, 2023.

For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees please go to LISD.org.

TCIS ||Continued Continued from page 5 1/3 in the first six weeks. Because of the positive structure and incentives in the house system, students are motivated to exhibit excellent behavior regularly and respect their peers and educators even more.

The house system has transformed the culture of Judson

STEAM Academy, and it has been so successful, that the other two middle schools, Forest Park Middle School, and Foster Middle School are implementing the House system as well this year and next year.

We know you by name.

You are our neighbors, mothers, cousins, sisters, fathers, best friends, brothers and everything in between. We get to know you so we can serve you on a first name basis. We take banking personally.

— John Winks is the TCIS Chief of Schools.

southside.com/you

© 2023 Southside Bank.

All rights reserved. C0923P

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — December 2023

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — December 2023

Community comes together for Hispanic Heritage Month celebration

By Quantalane Henry Richard AVID Site Team Coordinator

I

n the heart of Longview, a vibrant celebration unfolded at Longview High School’s Coliseum on October 12, 2023.

The inaugural Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration marked a significant milestone in the school’s RICHARD history, bringing together students, staff, faculty, and community supporters to honor and showcase Latino culture. The event, themed “Si, Se Puede! Yes We Can!,” was a testament to the dedication and passion of Mr. Arturo Zapata, Jr., whose journey to this moment began back in 1996.

For two decades, Arturo Zapata, Jr., chaired the local “Cinco De Mayo” Celebration at the Maude Cobb Convention Center, a cornerstone event attracting 5,000 attendees annually. His commitment to showcasing Latino culture caught the attention of Longview High School’s Principal, James P. Brewer, in 2014. Brewer’s words resonated: “You’ve got to do this one day at Longview High School.” The seed was planted, and it took root.

After a meticulous month of planning by the Assembly Planning Committee, the vision became a reality. On October 12, 2023, the Coliseum became a tapestry of colors, echoing the theme “Si, Se Puede! Yes We Can!” The event served as a testament to the power of collaboration and the richness of diversity within the Longview community.

Master of Ceremonies, Hector Perez, set a respectful tone with a “Moment of Silence” for the late Principal Brewer, whose vision inspired this celebration.

The audience stood united for both the national anthem and the Mexican anthem, bridging cultures through music.

Students took center stage, with Jacob Alvarez and Esencia Unica enchanting the audience with live music. DJ Andrew Zapata, carrying on a family tradition, kept the atmosphere lively. Various campus organizations, from JROTC to the Lobo Choir and Viewettes, showcased their talents, creating moments of joy and cultural exchange including junior Ashley Moreno who received thunderous applause as she sang “Solo Con Verte” on stage.

Dr. Juan Mejia, President of Tyler Junior College, delivered an inspiring message, urging students to “Dream Big.” His recommendation of the movie “A Million Miles Away” added a touch of motivation. Mr. Zapata’s gift of a vintage record player and Journey albums to Dr. Mejia highlighted the celebration’s unique blend of cultures.

The celebration extended gratitude to AVID students for their morning an-

LHS Associate Principal Ramon Hernandez (left) joins Dr. Juan Mejia, President & CEO of Tyler Junior College, Guest Speaker, and the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Committee members (l-r) AVID Program Instructor Quantalane Henry Richard, Analilia Jacques, David Monsivais, Chairman Arturo Zapata, Jr., Savannah Rodriguez, Hector Perez, Brittany Irish and Javier Jahen-Diaz.

Photo by Quantalane Henry Richard

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — December 2023

nouncements and recognized the dedicated efforts of the Assembly Planning Committee. Sponsor donations were acknowledged, emphasizing the importance of community support. Faculty reflections highlighted the impact of the event, with special recognition given to Hector Perez for his advisory role.

As the Celebration Chairman and visionary, Arturo Zapata, Jr., credited his parents for instilling in him the art of event planning. His goal is clear: to guide all students toward academic focus and scholarship opportunities. The celebration was a manifestation of his dedication to leaving no child behind.

In the words of Mr. Zapata, the celebration was not just an event; it was a recognition of

the rich cultural contributions that Hispanic heritage has made to the United States.

As parents, educators, and community members came together, the Coliseum echoed with a resounding message: “My goal is to get them focused on studying and not skipping, and then they can get scholarships. I help everyone. I will leave no child behind.”

The inaugural Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Longview High School was more than a gathering; it was a celebration of unity, diversity, and the shared dream that, indeed, “Si, Se Puede! Yes We Can!”

— Quantalane Henry Richard is the AVID Site Team Coordinator & Program Instructor at LHS. A lifelong educator with 33 years of Classroom Teaching Experience, Ms. Henry Richard is also a Professional Journalist, former Yearbook & Newspaper Publications Director and leads her AVID students in promoting “Cultural Responsiveness & Enrichment” throughout the Longview High School campus.

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — December 2023

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — December 2023

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SPORTS

THANK YOU, YOU, SENIORS

A look back on the 2023 Lobo football season

T

he Lobos had their mission of obtaining another State Championship cut short in a heartbreaking 27-24 loss on Saturday, Nov. 24th.

While their season has come to an end, we are all proud of our Lobo student-athletes, coaches, staff, families, and countless volunteers. Amazing work.

Here’s a look back at Longview’s playoff victories through the post-season:

LONGVIEW 21 McKinney 23

MCKINNEY — The Longview Lobos opened their 2023 football season with a closely contested battle against the McKinney Lions, falling short 21-23 at McKinney ISD Stadium.

In a defensive battle, McKinney had 17 first downs to Longview’s 8. Longview’s ground game totaled 168 rushing yards, with Taylor Tatum leading at 129 yards. In the air, the Lobos recorded 190 passing yards, with standout Dakaylen Reese accounting for 160 of those yards.

Despite effort, Longview trailed McKinney throughout.

Key plays included a 32-yard Tatum-to-Reese touchdown pass and Tatum’s impressive 64-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

As the game closed, Longview fought back. A 74yard Tutt-to-Reese pass and

Thank you Peters, the official sponsor of Lobo football!

a successful Monsivais kick brought them close, but McKinney’s Cole Dauper secured victory with a 27-yard field goal.

LONGVIEW 48 Marshall 7

MARSHALL — Longview dominated the Marshall Mavericks with a final score of 48-7 at Maverick Stadium in Week 2 non-district action.

The Lobos earned 22 first downs to Marshall’s 6, rushing for nearly 300 yards while holding Marshall’s to just 50 yards. Longview led through the air as well, passing for 162 yards to Marshall’s 87.

Key moments included Andrew Tutt’s 1-yard scoring run, followed by John Monsivais’ successful kick, tying the game at 7-7 in the first quarter. Taylor Tatum’s 53-

yard run and Ethan Harrison’s 32-yard touchdown pass from Tutt further solidified Longview’s lead.

Stat leaders included Tatum with 136 yards rushing, Dekaylen Reese with 50 yards receiving, and Kason Brooks leading tackles with 9.

Longview’s defense showcased strength with tackles for loss by Darryl Dolly, Daedrion Garrett, Billy Smith, and Chris Wilder. Smith and Wilder also recorded sacks.

Lobos||Continued to page 14 Lobos

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — December 2023

LOBOS ||Continued Continued from page 13 John Monsivais maintained accuracy with six successful extra-point kicks, sealing a comprehensive victory for Longview.

LONGVIEW 28 Tyler Legacy 7

LONGVIEW — The Lobo offense scored four touchdowns in six first-half drives, powering Longview to a 28-7 halftime lead over Tyler Legacy before Friday’s non-district game was called due to lightning.

Longview — playing its home opener — capitalized on big runs

by Taylor Tatum, who rushed for scores of 11 and 4 yards in the first quarter. Tatum finished with 57 yards on nine carries.

Legacy quarterback Luke Wolf answered with a 2-yard rushing TD to cut it to 14-7, but the Lobos responded right away as Kelvin Washington plowed in from 4 yards out. Quarterback Andrew Tutt then hit Dakaylen Reese for a 4-yard score with 10 seconds left before halftime.

Tutt connected on his first five passes, finishing 5 of 5 for 132 yards and the TD to Reese.

The Lobos averaged 7.1 yards per carry behind Tatum’s hard running.

Legacy managed just 26 yards rushing on 20 attempts against Longview’s staunch defense. The team will open its district schedule Sept. 15 by hosting rival Lufkin.

LONGVIEW 42 Lufkin 0

LONGVIEW — In a dominant performance, the Longview Lobos secured a resounding 42-0 victory over the Lufkin Panthers at Lobo Stadium on Sept.

15th. The Lobos showcased a balanced offensive effort, with Taylor Tatum leading the rushing attack, contributing two touchdowns with runs of 1 and 8 yards.

The passing game saw quarterback Andrew Tutt connecting with multiple receivers, including Kelvin Washington, who made a notable 51-yard touchdown reception. Other scoring plays included Andrew Tutt’s 7-yard run and a 55-yard pass to DeKaylan Reese. Buster Mumphrey added the final touchdown with a 7-yard run.

Defensively, the Lobos displayed prowess with Kason Brooks and Brenden Reese leading the tackles, each with 11. Willie Nelson and Jaiden Simmons secured interceptions, while Kason Brooks recorded a sack and tackles for loss.

LONGVIEW 52 Lancaster 35

LANCASTER — In a high-scoring matchup, the Longview Lobos emerged victorious with a 52-35 win over the Lancaster Tigers at Beverly D. Humphrey Tiger Stadium.

The game showcased a dynamic offensive performance from Longview, led by Taylor Tatum’s impressive 250 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

The scoring opened with a back-and-forth, including a notable 36-yard interception return by Javion Robertson.

Andrew Tutt contributed with a 32-yard run and a 25-yard pass to Taylor Tatum. John Monsivais added a 31-yard field goal.

The second half continued Longview’s dominance, with Tatum adding two more rushing touchdowns, and Kelvin Washington securing a 22-yard run. Defensively, Kason Brooks, Jaymerson Darensbourg, and Bryan Peoples led the tackles, while interceptions by Willie Nelson and Javion Robertson showcased the Lobos’ defensive prowess.

Special teams saw John Monsivias maintaining accuracy with six successful extra-point kicks. Longview’s disciplined defense, highlighted by tackles for loss and sacks, played a crucial role in securing the victory.

LONGVIEW 13 Forney 6

FORNEY — In a closely contested battle, the Longview Lobos secured a hard-fought 13-6 victory over the Forney Jackrabbits at Forney City Bank Stadium. John Monsivais contributed significantly with a 25-yard field goal, while Taylor Tatum’s 4-yard run added another touchdown for Longview.

Forney responded with an 11yard pass from Kyle Crawford to Imari Jehiel.

The second half saw Longview maintaining their lead with a 23-yard field goal from Monsivais. The Lobos’ ground game, led by Tatum’s 177 rushing yards, played a

crucial role in controlling the tempo. Defensively, Jaymerson Darensbourg, Xaryus Sheppard, and Chase Smith anchored the tackles, with notable contributions from Bryan Peoples and Willie Nelson.

Monsivais remained accurate with an extra-point kick.

Longview’s disciplined defense, including tackles for loss and a sack by Xaryus Sheppard, secured the victory in a closely contested matchup.

LONGVIEW 63 North Mesquite 0

LONGVIEW — Willie Nelson opened the scoring with a 30-yard interception return, setting the tone for Longview’s 63-0 victory over North Mesquite at Lobo Stadium.

Andrew Tutt connected with DeKaylen Reese for a 42yard touchdown, while Kelvin Washington added two rushing touchdowns, one from 53 yards and another from 1 yard. In the second quarter, Tutt found Reese again for a 43-yard score, and Buster Mumphrey contributed with a 19-yard run. Washington continued his stellar performance with a 58-yard rushing touchdown.

The second half featured Mason Washington’s 16-yard run for a touchdown, and Alexx Hawkins capped the scoring with an 8-yard run. Tutt and Maverick Rowe shared passing duties, completing 8 of 10 attempts for a total of 144 yards.

The ground game showcased various players, with Kelvin Washington leading with 126 rushing yards.

Defensively, Javion Robertson and Xaryus Sheppard anchored the tackles, while Brenden Reese secured a sack and Javion Robertson blocked a punt.

In the third quarter, Kelvin Washington extended Longview’s lead with a 17-yard run. The final quarter saw Washington adding another touchdown with a 1-yard run, securing a 36-13 victory. McKinney North’s Brandon Powell contributed with a 41-yard touchdown reception.

Individual performances highlighted Taylor Tatum’s 153 rushing yards and Kelvin Washington’s 133 yards.

Andrew Tutt completed 3 of 8 passes for 69 yards.

Defensively, Bryan Peoples, Javion Robertson, and Xaryus Sheppard led the tackles, with Thomas Roel securing an interception. Longview maintained control, closing the game with a 23-point margin.

LONGVIEW 34 Tyler 12

LONGVIEW — Tyler High secured an early lead with a 38-yard field goal by Marvin Espinal, but Longview responded swiftly.

Kelvin Washington’s 72-yard reception from Andrew Tutt was followed by Tyler’s blocked extra point return by Braylen Ford. Longview regained control with Washington’s 2-yard run and Taylor Tatum’s 25yard rush, leading 20-5 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Tyler’s Derrick McFall scored a 1-yard run, narrowing the gap, but Longview’s Tatum countered with a 75-yard run. The Lobos sealed the victory with Washington’s 36-yard touchdown reception from Tutt.

Tatum dominated with 232 rushing yards, complemented

by Washington’s receiving performance.

Defensively, Jaymerson Darensbourg and Daedrion Garrett led the tackles, with interceptions by Garrett and Jaiden Simmons.

LONGVIEW 36 McKinney-North 13

MCKINNEY — McKinney North initiated the scoring with a 23-yard pass from Colin Hitchcock to Kameron Powell, taking an early lead.

Longview responded in the second quarter with DeKaylen Reese’s 17-yard run, and Taylor Tatum’s 1 and 2-yard touchdown runs, the latter followed by a successful two-point conversion by Andrew Tutt.

LONGVIEW 43 West Mesquite 0

MESQUITE — Mason Washington opened with a 51-yard run for a touchdown, setting the pace, as Longview secured a decisive 43-0 victory over West Mesquite.

Taylor Tatum contributed with two rushing touchdowns in the second quarter. Kelvin WashingLobos||Continued to page 15 Lobos

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — December 2023

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Lobo basketball has strong preseason The Lobo basketball teams are off to a great start! The boys team is currently going 7-2 as of Thursday, Dec. 7, while the girls team is 11-4. District games have yet to start, but we are excited to see how amazing they shall do.

LOBOS ||Continued Continued from page 14 ton added another touchdown in the third, followed by a team safety.

Ethan Harrison extended the lead with an 18-yard run in the third quarter, while Da’Morrion Williams sealed the win with a 61-yard reception from Maverick Rowe in the final quarter.

Mason Washington led the rushing efforts with 86 yards, while Tatum and Kelvin Washington added crucial contributions. DeKaylen Reese emerged as a key receiver with 75 yards, complemented by Williams’ 61yard reception.

Defensively, Brenden Reese led with 15 tackles, while Thomas Roel secured two interceptions.

Longview’s dominant performance solidified their undefeated record in 7-5A play, maintaining a stronghold in the district with a shutout win over West Mesquite.

LONGVIEW 59 New Caney-Porter 7

LONGVIEW — Longview dominated New Caney-Porter in a decisive 59-7 bi-district victory.

The Lobos showcased a formidable performance across all facets of the game.

Willie Nelson set the tone with a 28-yard interception return for a touchdown in the

first quarter. Kelvin Washington and Taylor Tatum added rushing touchdowns, while DeKaylen Reese and Ethan Harrison connected with Andrew Tutt for impressive passing touchdowns.

Special teams made a significant impact as Willie Nelson returned a punt for a 57-yard touchdown, further widening the lead.

New Caney Porter managed a lone touchdown in the third quarter but Longview’s defense was relentless, with notable performances by Kason Brooks, Billy Smith, and Bryan Peoples. Daedrion Garrett and Willie Nelson secured interceptions, while Isiah Horton and Brenden Reese contributed sacks.

ton’s explosive 66-yard reception from Andrew Tutt further solidified Longview’s control.

The Lobos continued to assert dominance, with Tatum and John Monsivais contributing to the scoreline. Mason Washington’s impressive 64-yard run and Kelvin Washington’s 6-yard touchdown extended Longview’s lead.

Frisco Reedy managed a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but Longview responded with authority. Kelvin Washington’s 17-yard run secured the final touchdown, sealing the comprehensive victory.

Individual standout performances included Tatum and Washington in the rushing game, while Willie Nelson’s interception and defensive contributions from Chase Smith and Daedrion Garrett played pivotal roles in Longview’s commanding win.

LONGVIEW 52 Frisco-Reedy 14

MESQUITE — In a dominant display, Longview triumphed 52-14 over Frisco Reedy in the Class 5A Area Playoff game.

Frisco Reedy took an early lead with Kahlil Smith’s 1-yard run, but Longview swiftly responded. Taylor Tatum’s 4-yard run and Jamayis Morrow’s fumble return set the tone. Kelvin Washing-

LONGVIEW 24 Lancaster 27

FORNEY — In a hardfought Class 5A regional semifinal, Longview faced a tough battle against Lancaster, ultimately falling in a heartbreaking 27-24 defeat.

Despite a 14-point halftime lead, the Lobos couldn’t secure

a second victory over Lancaster this season. Missing key player Taylor Tatum due to injury, Longview ended the 2023 season with an 11-2 record.

Lancaster initiated the scoring with Kewan Lacy’s 87-yard touchdown run, setting the tone early. Longview responded with Andrew Tutt’s 30-yard touchdown pass to Jaymerson Darensbourg. Kelvin Washington’s impressive 94-yard kickoff return gave Longview the lead at 14-10. Washington contributed 102 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Tutt completed five of 10 passes for 71 yards and a score.

Lancaster staged a comeback, tying the game at 24-24 with Carter Jones’ touchdown passes to Kameron Robinson.

Despite Longview’s defensive efforts, Lancaster secured a last-second 37-yard field goal for the upset win.

The Lobos ended their 2023 varsity football season with an 11-2 record. Nevertheless, we are proud of all of our Lobo students athletes, staff, coaches, and countless volunteers!

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — December 2023

OBITUARIES Longview ISD offers our most sincere condolences to our extended Lobo family Ralph Bailey Memorial services for Ralph Rudolph Bailey, 100, of Longview were held on Thursday, November 30 at 1 pm at MobBAILEY berly Baptist Church Worship Center. Rev. Greg Martin and Dr. Gregg Zackary officiated. Visitation followed the service in the foyer of the church. A private, family burial was held the same day prior to the service at Grace Hill Cemetery in Longview. He passed away on November 22, 2023.

Ralph was born on October 22, 1923, in Panola County to Joe and Maggie Bailey.

He attended schools in Gary, Texas and graduated in 1941 and moved with his family to Longview the same year. He was the oldest of 5 children.

Later, he went to Houston to work in the shipyards, but in 1943 joined the US Army to serve during World War II. He served in the 96th infantry division in the Pacific theater. Returning home from the war he married his sweetheart Melba Jo George in June 1947. Later, they added to their family four children, David, Debbie, Brenda and Chris.

He graduated from BMI School of Business and went directly to work in the plumbing wholesale business with International Supply for the next 51 years.

The greatest love of his life was for his Savior, Jesus Christ.

He devoted himself to being a godly husband, father and friend to many. He set the example of Christ-like love, kindness, generosity, humbleness and integrity. He joined Mobberly Baptist Church in 1943 where he was saved 2 years before. His love for the local church never faltered. He served faithfully all the days of his long life. He was a deacon, presided over 4 building campaigns, served on pastor search committees, finance and personnel committees, and served as the church treasurer for 47 years.

Ralph was a lover of sports from an early age. He played basketball, ran track, and played baseball during his days in Gary. He enjoyed the time he spent in the service playing

baseball with many of those who went on to play professionally.

He continued to play softball into his late 50’s in the church leagues in Longview. He could run the bases faster than others much younger than himself.

Ralph’s love of Lobo football was a serious passion of his.

He was dedicated to supporting his team by purchasing season tickets every year for 74 years and attended regularly. His last home game to attend was Octo-

ber 13 of this year. Recognized for his loyalty, he was nicknamed “Mr. Lobo”.

Those left to treasure his life and legacy are David and Shirley Bailey, Debbie and Jack Goetz, Brenda and Brandon Johnson and Chris and Joni Bailey, 12 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. His surviving siblings are Ruth Coleman, Willie Nell Thompson, and Jimmy Bailey. He was preceded

in death by his sweet wife of 70 years, Melba and his brother, JM Bailey.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to one or more of the following: Mobberly Baptist Church, “Oasis Project” at mobberly.org/give,, Texas mobberly.org/give Wounded Warrior Foundation at “Texas Wounded Warrior”, PO Box 130727, Tyler, TX 75713 or to the Longview Athletic Dept.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — December 2023

Page 17

PUBLIC NOTICES Board meeting set for January 8 Trustees usually meet in the boardroom of the LISD Education Support Center, (1301 E. Young St.) but often set special-called meetings at various locations around the district.

The next regular meeting is tentative-

ly scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8. The next special board meeting is tentatively set for Noon on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at the ESC building.

For more information about the LISD meetings go to LISD.org LISD.org.. Agendas and

Minutes can also be found at the website, as well as information on financial transparency.

Information about the areas of the district as well as the elected board members can also be found online.

District seeking architectural firm for various projects The Longview Independent School District is seeking to retain an architectural firm with the qualifications and staff resources necessary to perform planning, designing, bidding and construction oversight phases of various projects deemed to be in the best interest of the District. In addition the District is looking for a firm with the capability to provide value added services including, but not limited to structural engineering, security consultation, technology consultation, interior design, etc. Therefore, it is the intent

of the Board to obtain information in the request for qualifications that addresses these options.

Firms are requested to submit their qualifications outlining their background and experience in campus planning and building design.

Selected firms may be invited to participate in interviews. Once the most qualified firm is determined, the District will attempt to negotiate a fee.

If a fee cannot be agreed upon, negotiations will begin with the next most qualified firm. Once an

agreement is reached, the selected firm’s name will be submitted for the final approval by the Longview ISD Board of Trustees.

Submit one original and four (4) copies of the RFQ to the following: Longview ISD Administration Office 1301 E Young Street Longview Tx 75602 Please mark on the outside of the envelope “RFQ #20-01.”

STATE ||Continued Continued from page 5 We were grateful to have had eight teams compete and they showed up! We are so proud that Longview FFA is went to Huntsville for Huntsville for the State LDE Contest in December with two teams!

Help us congratulate the hard work and efforts put in by these teams!

Greenhand Creed Speaking — Lane Foreman, Foreman, 1st Place (Went to State)

Job Interview — Maggie Mayes, 2nd Place (Went to Mayes, State) Greenhand Chapter Conducting — 4th Place Anna Ford, Elizabeth Grimes, Lilah Haas, Audry Lewis, David Monsivais, Gabriel Moussa, Ishan Patel, Siann Rudolph, Frances Wilson Sr. Chapter Conducting — 5th Place

PARKER ||Continued Continued from page 4 youth pastor gave us the fundamentals for a safe transition: “head down, minimal movement, and no speaking.” Those rules weren’t followed strictly as we were curious to see what was happening. As we glanced outside, we didn’t see what most people would expect; instead, we saw glee. I thought, “Why are they so happy?” Then, I concluded that these people were pleased with their fight against injustice. They had a reason to smile through their hardships. It was extraordinary to witness their fellowship and glowing faces looking at each other and us. Their warmth even under those circumstances made us happy.

Africa became the purest definition of home. Traveling there was always going to be a remarkable experience, but no one could’ve ever known how impactful and life-changing it would be. I dreaded coming home from Africa because I did not want to leave something I loved so much. Now, being back in America, I think of Africa constantly and wish that I could go back home. I am homesick.

Cameron Black, Lainey Flowers, Tyson Keebaugh, John Northcutt, Graham Shepherd, Ben Weindorff, Brynn Woods, Cole Kitchens Greenhand Quiz — 5th Place Ishan Patel, Audry Lewis, Gabriel Moussa, Lane Foreman Greenhand Skills — 6th Place (Tied for 5th!)

Sophia Tramel, Reidyn Sanchez, Mason Fleet

Greenhand Spanish Creed — Yazmin Orocio, Orocio, 8th Place Sr. Quiz — 8th Place Ellie Dunaway, Gia Shepherd, Christian Cruz, Gunnar Broadway We are extremely proud of these students and teams and can’t wait to see their growth through out their years in the FFA. We can’t wait to see how far they go next season! Go Lobos!

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — December 2023

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LOBO GARDEN

Latest news from the garden

By James Beasley Coordinator As I walk through the garden in the early morning hours, I can’t help but notice how vivid the fall colors are. The various shades of red, purple, orange and yellow are a site to behold, and are an example of the creative hand of God. In this season of thanksgiving, it’s important to remember how fortunate and blessed we are to live in such a great country.

During my time in Iraq in 2003, I forgot how vivid green can be. While in the desert the

only color you become accustomed to is brown. Everywhere you looked for as far as the eye could see was brown. It wasn’t until we returned to England that we were reminded of how “green” plants can be. For several days my men and I were in awe of green trees, grass and even weeds. It’s funny how such a small thing can impact our lives in such a big way.

In terms of production from the garden we have harvested approximately 97 lbs. of Romaine Lettuce, 102 lbs. of tomatoes, and 104 lbs. of pecans. This brings us to a grand total of 1436 lbs.

since 15 September. Overall, we are ahead by 691 lbs. for the year compared to this time last year.

The garden team and I attri-

bute the success of the program to your ongoing support and prayers. We know that we can do nothing without Him.

Getting to know gardener Jelani Williams

By Jelani Williams LISD gardener First, I want to give God all the Glory and thank Him for the job he has given me. It is because of Him that I strive to do my best in everything I do. Although the growing of fresh fruits and vegetables is something I really enjoy, the main reason I love this job is because it allows us to feed the students of Longview.

The ability to work with others and the joy of harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables has brought me great joy and tremendous job satisfaction. There is

Did you know?

1. Plants are green during the spring and summer because of a chemical called Chlorophyll 2. During the fall, the plants stop producing this chemical which allows the leaves to show their other colors 3. Fall leaf colors can be predicted using a process called Leaf Chromatography 4. Some leaves contain anthocyanins which make them turn red and purple

nothing better than seeing the fruits of one’s labor.

In terms of having a favorite vegetable to grow, I’ve learned that they are

all equally important. Each fruit or vegetable that we grow plays a vital role in bringing fresh produce to the district.

This is one reason I applied for this job.

Prior to working for Child Nutrition, I worked for the City of Longview. This was a job I enjoyed doing because it afforded me the opportunity to be a public servant. Likewise, this job allows me to serve the students of Longview ISD, which is something I feel very passionate about.

In closing, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the district for this opportunity to grow and serve.

ETAA ||Continued Continued from page 5 Another recent study by the Raising Children Network entitled Conversation Skills for Children: Learning to Talk and Listen to Others found that, “Conversation skills are important for children’s development and wellbeing.

When children can have conversations, they can make friends, be listened to, ask for what they need, and develop strong relationships with others by: starting conversations; getting attention in a respectful way; using eye contact; knowing what to talk about; taking turns talking and listening; speaking respectfully; and knowing when to stop talking.”

By contrast, we must also consider the effects of requiring young students to be silent. Dr. David Aldridge, Head of Secondary and Further Education at Oxford Brookes University has observed, “There must be some confidence that the approach we have taken will bring about the result we w ant, because children like to make noise. . . It is certainly conceivable that teachers sometimes require children to work in silence, without having really con-

sidered other ways of going about a similar learning task, and without any particular reason to believe that silence is necessary or useful in bringing about a desired educational outcome.”

Do we want every child to be Twaddletalk Tuck at all times? Certainly not! But talking is healthy for kids, and we must encourage them to put their thoughts into words they can share.

— Brian Ziemer, Ph.D., CPA is East Texas Advanced Academies CEO and Chief Learner. East Texas Advanced Academies is an SB 1882 Partnership of Longview ISD

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — December 2023